Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) has received approval in principle (AiP) from Lloyd’s Register (LR) for a cargo handling system design for a 6,600 m³ LNG bunkering vessel.

HMD and the Hyundai Heavy Industries(HHI) Corporate Research Centre jointly developed the cargo handling system design based on their extensive experience of building gas carriers. HMD chose to develop the LNG bunkering vessel design because of the potential for growth in the LNG-fuelled ship sector.

The cargo handling system is designed for LNG bunkering to a LNG-fuelled ship, as well to supply fuel gas to the dual-fuel main engine and managing Boil-Off Gas (BOG). The cargo pumps are capable of bunkering at a maximum of 1,100m³/h to a LNG-fuelled ship and fuel gas to dual-fuel main engine can be supplied by BOG compression or LNG vaporing. BOG returned from the LNG-fuelled ship during bunkering can be burnt in the dual-fuel engine or collected inside the Type C cargo tank.

Insulation for the cargo tank is designed for lower BOG generation. BOG generated from the cargo tank is less than the fuel gas consumption of the main engine at the normal continuous rating. This means that all BOG can be utilised by burning in the main engine so that the cargo tank pressure and temperature can be managed in a stable manner.

A HMD official commented: “HMD and the HHI Corporate Research Centre expect that a cargo handling system for larger LNG bunkering vessels and LNG carriers can also be developed based on this approved design for a 6,600 m³ LNG bunkering vessel”.

LR’s Jin-Tae Lee, Ph.D, Korea Chief Representative & Marine Manager, said: “We are pleased that LR LNG carrier specialists and Busan Technology Support Office, headed by Y.D. Kim, have provided and facilitated their vast experience through the entire gas technology supply chain to support HMD and the HHI Corporate Research Centre to achieve the required level of compliance with the international regulations for HMD’s design, and this is endorsed by issuing the AiP certification.”